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21 January 2025

Unlimited Strike By La Montréalaise Drivers Disrupts Student Transport

The indefinite work stoppage affects CSSDM bus routes as unions protest low wages and working conditions.

Drivers for Autobus La Montréalaise have commenced an unlimited general strike, impacting students served by the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM). Starting on the morning of January 20, 2025, this significant labor action followed the union's rejection of the employer’s latest contract offer just the day before.

The strike is organized by the members of the Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleurs des Autobus La Montréalaise-CSN Division Montréal (STTALM-CSN-DM), who overwhelmingly voted to initiate such measures after years of dissatisfaction with negotiation outcomes. This strike, which the union has deemed necessary, affects 17 bus routes operated by La Montréalaise, leading to disruptions for workers and students who rely on these transport services.

According to the CSSDM, the organization has acknowledged the impact the strike will have, notifying parents about the indefinite suspension of the affected routes. "Our 17 La Montréalaise bus routes have been on strike since this morning for an indefinite period," stated CSSDM representatives, who added they were actively communicating with families via their Mtransport application.

The union’s decision to strike was not taken lightly. The momentum toward this point began during a general meeting held on January 8, following several weeks of sustained pressure tactics authorized by its members at the end of October 2024. It was then determined by 95 percent of the union members to pursue this form of action if the negotiation climate did not improve.

Key concerns expressed by union representatives include the management practices of Transport scolaire Sogesco, the parent company of Autobus La Montréalaise. Union leader Carole Laplante has emphasized issues surrounding labor market attraction and retention caused by inadequate wages. “It is clear Sogesco's problems of attraction and retention of the workforce caused by its low wages will persist with such offers,” she stated, highlighting systemic issues within the company.

Adding to the uproar is the company’s reported financial gain over the years. The FEESP-CSN has noted how Sogesco received nearly 25% more per contract signed with the CSSDM, without translating those gains back to its drivers. Josée Dubé, vice-president of the FEESP-CSN, cited previous salary increases for top Sogesco executives, drawing attention to compensation disparities: “Since 2022, Sogesco management has enjoyed significant pay increases, with their annual salaries surpassing half a million dollars.”

This volatile situation is compounded by the historical backdrop of labor conflicts associated with Sogesco; the company has frequently encountered allegations of failures to properly compensate and respect its employees. Recent years have seen studies indicating Sogesco’s performance figures to be nearly double what financial analysts, such as Deloitte, deem acceptable within the public transport sector.

Public sentiment is seemingly shifting, as union leaders have observed growing support from other labor components within the region. Caroline Senneville, president of CSN, asserted, “All components of the CSN have solidly and collectively supported the entire school transport unions who democratically decided to exercise their strike mandate. We will be by their side until they obtain satisfactory settlements.”

The strike has become more than just an operational disruption; it is emblematic of broader issues surrounding labor practices, fairness, and respect for workers’ rights within the public transport sector. Parents now face added challenges as they attempt to navigate their children's transportation needs amid the labor dispute. Communication from the CSSDM, along with unwavering union resolve, indicates this situation may persist until meaningful agreements can be made. Negotiations are still underway, shedding light on the desire for resolution from both workers and management.

For now, the situation remains fluid, with the union urging Sogesco to reconsider its stance and working conditions. The outcome of this strike could have significant repercussions, not only for the workers but also for the future of public transportation in the region.